Excelling as a comedic and dramatic actor, he is perhaps best known as the rumpled and seemingly confused Lieutenant Columbo in more than 65 telefilms over 30 years. He also starred in three John Cassavetes films, including Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), and Opening Night (1977), as well as Murder by Death (1976), The Brinks Job (1978), and The Princess Bride (1987). He received consecutive Oscar nominations for his supporting roles in Murder, Inc. (1960) and Pocketful of Miracles (1961).